The Team at GFC Films
Matthew Metcalfe
Managing Director and Producer
Producer Matthew Metcalfe is one of New Zealand’s most prominent producers with over twenty years experience. In that time, he has produced over NZD 250 million worth of production, representing seventeen feature films and dramatic TV series, ten tele-features and numerous other TV shows, TVC’s, documentaries and music videos.
Matthew is the founder and Managing Director of GFC Films. Matthew over sees all productions and manages the relationships between GFC Films and the company’s key partners, including Universal Pictures and XYZ Films. Matthew is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS) which he received in 2022 as well as a Fellow of the Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS) (1096513) which he also received in 2022.
Tom Blackwell
Head of Development & Producer
Tom Blackwell is a Head of Development at GFC Films where he handles the acquisition and development of stories, books, and screenplays into successful theatrical films and television.
In 2019, Tom developed and co-wrote THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK, a feature documentary adaptation of Mark Manson’s NYTimes #1 Best Seller book (11 million copies sold). Tom also developed BILLION DOLLAR HEIST for Universal Pictures, a feature documentary about the biggest cyber heist of all time.
Lesley Hansen
Associate Producer
Lesley is the Associate Producer and in-house Production Manager at GFC Films, managing the various projects across the company’s production slate.
Lesley's film and TV production career kickstarted in London while working for the global media giant, Viacom for both MTV Europe and MTV UK across multiple channels and sponsorship vehicles.
Moving to Sydney opened up roles in advertising. She worked for five years on commercials and award-winning campaigns.
Since arriving back in New Zealand, she has transitioned into film by joining GFC Films on the feature, 6 DAYS. Since then, she has worked in all aspects of production, including the documentaries MCLAREN, WAYNE, CAPITAL IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY and the most recently produced a TVNZ original show, YOUNG AND HOOKED ON CHEMSEX.
Alex Gilbert
Production Coordinator
Alex Gilbert has been working in the television industry for over a decade. Working in various television programmes along with a show that he has fronted himself, Reunited.
Along with his work inside of television, Alex has been working on his own projects within the charitable area. Raising awareness for adopted people and for those tracing family roots.
Since the beginning of 2023, Alex joined us as our coordinator. Providing assistance for our film projects and working closely with those in the editorial department.